Hampton Park Senior Citizens Club president Peter Hall shows one of the windows that was broken in the incident and repaired soon after.
Picture: Stewart Chambers.By Sarah Schwager
HAMPTON Park Senior Citizens Club members were reeling after a dramatic break-in at the club on the weekend.
Doors and windows were smashed, a fire extinguisher was set off and hi-fi equipment was stolen, but recovered soon after in the early hours on Saturday morning.
Club president Peter Hall said it could have been worse had it not been for the quick actions of a neighbour.
Ms Hall said a dog in the neighbouring property had been barking and so the lady owner climbed up on the fence to see what was happening.
He said the woman saw two men breaking into the adjoining bowling club and immediately contacted the police.
Cranbourne Police said one man was caught inside the club, while the other was caught in the creek just behind the property.
Mr Hall said a rubbish bin had been used to move the equipment, including a DVD player, VCR and television, which was found just outside the club.
He said it was the third break-in during his time at the club over the last five years.
Mr Hall said while nothing had been stolen, as they did not keep money on the premises, things had been broken.
“It’s the inconvenience of fixing things up,” he said. “We won’t get any reimbursement.”
Mr Hall and two other club members were called to the club at 2am on Saturday and immediately cleaned up and made the property secure.
He said people at the club were shaken after first hearing about the incident.
He said they were deeply indebted to the neighbour and police for acting so quickly.
“We gave the lady a card and flowers and we gave the dog a card and a packet of Schmackos,” Mr Hall said.
“We didn’t know how to thank the dog so we wrote ‘woof woof’ in the card.”
A 26-year-old man from Turnbull Court in Carrum Downs was charged with burglary, theft and criminal damage and bailed to appear before the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 29 May.
A 22-year-old man of the same address was charged with burglary, theft, criminal damage and driving offences and bailed to appear on the same day.
